Baked Apple Crumb Donuts

Here’s a cozy and delicious fall-inspired treat: Baked Apple Crumb Donuts! These cake-style donuts are soft, warmly spiced, and topped with a buttery cinnamon streusel crumb. They’re baked (not fried), so they’re lighter and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert — especially with a cup of coffee or cider.

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🍩 Baked Apple Crumb Donuts

🔸 Yield: 10–12 donuts

🔸 Prep Time: 15 minutes

🔸 Bake Time: 12–14 minutes

🔸 Total Time: ~30 minutes

🔸 Tools: Donut pan, mixing bowls

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🍎 Ingredients

For the Donuts:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp ground cinnamon

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ¼ tsp salt

• 1 large egg

• ⅓ cup brown sugar, packed

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• ¼ cup vegetable oil (or melted butter)

• ⅓ cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tsp vinegar)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• ½ cup finely chopped or grated apple (peeled – Honeycrisp or Gala work great)

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For the Crumb Topping:

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• 2 tbsp cold butter, cut into small pieces

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Optional Glaze (Light Drizzle):

• ½ cup powdered sugar

• 1–2 tbsp milk or apple cider

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

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🧑‍🍳 Directions

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🔹 Step 1: Make the Crumb Topping

1. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon.

2. Cut in the cold butter using a fork or fingers until it forms coarse crumbs.

3. Chill in the fridge while you prepare the donut batter.

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🔹 Step 2: Preheat Oven & Prep Pan

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

• Grease a nonstick donut pan with butter or spray.

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🔹 Step 3: Make the Donut Batter

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together:

   • Flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt

2. In another bowl, whisk:

   • Egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, oil, buttermilk, vanilla

3. Gently mix the wet and dry ingredients together until just combined.

4. Fold in the grated or finely chopped apple.

✅ Don’t overmix — it can make the donuts tough.

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🔹 Step 4: Fill the Donut Pan

1. Spoon the batter into a piping bag or a zip-top bag (snip the tip).

2. Pipe batter into each donut cavity about ¾ full.

3. Sprinkle a generous amount of crumb topping onto each donut.

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🔹 Step 5: Bake

• Bake for 12–14 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

• Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack.

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🔹 Step 6: (Optional) Glaze

1. Mix powdered sugar, milk/cider, and vanilla until smooth.

2. Drizzle lightly over cooled donuts.

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🍽️ End Result

• Texture: Soft, moist interior with a crunchy crumb topping

• Flavor: Warm cinnamon-spice with fresh apple notes

• Appearance: Golden donuts with a crumbly top and a light glaze drizzle

• Smells like: Autumn bakery bliss 🍂

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📝 Tips & Variations

• No donut pan? Use a mini muffin tin for “donut holes”!

• Add-ins: Try chopped pecans or walnuts in the batter or crumb topping.

• Applesauce swap: Use ¼ cup applesauce instead of grated apple for a smoother texture.

• Gluten-free? Use a 1:1 GF flour blend.

• Want more spice? Add a pinch of allspice or cloves.

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🧺 Storage

• Store at room temp in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

• For longer storage, refrigerate up to 5 days, or freeze (unglazed) for up to 1 month.